Alexander Hornaday and Joe Megysey, two gay Republicans, attended the civil unions[2] soiree. Hornaday is member of the Log Cabin Republicans, while Megysey is the former spokesman for the state Senate Republicans and U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman[3], R-Aurora.

Several hundred fired-up Coloradans attended what was called an “uncivil soiree” Wednesday, a combination group therapy/pep rally over the fate of civil unions this year in the legislature and the importance of electing of more like-minded lawmakers in November.

Among those who spoke were two gay Denver Democrats, Sen. Pat Steadman and House Minority Leader Mark Ferrandino[4], who co-sponsored the civil unions legislation.

Denver attorney Ted Trimpa[8], a nationally known gay-rights activist, and lobbyist Adam Eichberg[9] at the civil unions soiree Wednesday. Trimpa took some teasing that he looked like he had just seen Speaker Frank McNulty in the crowd.

Ferrandino also praised Steadman and others who worked for gay rights when “it wasn’t easy to be out there.”

Steadman, a former lobbyist, talked about his nearly two decades of fighting for equality, including watching in pain in 1992 as Coloradans passed what was viewed as an anti-gay measure, Amendment 2.

“It was really devastating to many of us,” he said. “It hurt really bad.”

But he pointed out that so much has changed since then, including the U.S. Supreme Court in 1996 striking down Amendment 2, and legislative changes to benefit same-sex couples.

Brad Clark[10], the director of the gay-rights group One Colorado, read a letter from Rep. B.J. Nikkel[11], the Loveland Republican whose “yes” vote on civil unions in Judiciary sent the bill on its journey.

“It was the right thing to do and I believe it put me on the right side of legislative history in Colorado,” she wrote. “I think you should know that there are actually a lot of Republicans who support the concept of civil unions. I hope that my vote will help encourage more to be unafraid to stand up for what is right.”

Nikkel, who is not running for re-election, also said it was only a matter of time before civil unions passed and while she would not be there she would celebrating with them.

Clark singled out several people, including Denver attorney Ted Trimpa, a nationally recognized gay advocate, and Coloradans for Freedom, the GOP group formed late last year to push for the passage of the issue.